National Republican., 1887-02-04
AMUsEMEN rs.
ALBAuoH's GRAND OPERA HOUSE

ALBAuGHS GRAND OPERA HOUSE.
No more striking contrast to the Asiatic
splendor and consciousness Of Aida could have
been found than that which was presented
last night in the theme and weird surroundings
Of fwagners "Flying Dutohmau." Instead of
an Ethiopian slave girl or the daughter of an
Egyptian king, the fated victim of Wagner 3
story is the fair-haired daughter Of q Nor
wegian sailor, member OF that race which
supplied vikings to ancient story and hardy,
fearless navlgators to the navies of a modern
world. scnts (aille. Emma Juoh) is In most
respects true child of the north, but blended
In her nature with the sclf-relinnt aud
practical hereditary instincts are found traces
OF romance and supcrnaturalsm which, under
some form, find play in frigid as I'm a torrid
zone, and which the Niebeiungen Lied have
permanently localized for Scandinavia. The
famous Dutch captain (Nir. VIM. Ludwigl who
incurred satanic vengeance for defying fate, is
condemned ITO sail the sea until the day Of
Judgment without aim or hope of release"
unless he can find woman to love him faith
mlly until death. He Is allowed to 20
ashore once in seven years TO find such
q woman, and on one occasion he makes
the acquaintance OF Senla, who, like
another Desdemona, loves him for the dangers
he has passed Her father. impressed by the
strangers wealth of gold and Jewels. urges on
marriage. The time drnws nigh for wedding
bells, but the stranger, impelled by doubts Of
ssnts and himself suddenly attempts to sai
and be Is drowned with his beirothel, who
throws herself into the seq.
The opera opens with delightful little
tenor song from the stccrsman of the Norwe.
gian vessel Through thunder and storm
from distant seas, my maiden, come ! near |!
over towering waves, with southern breeze,
rendered by Mr.. W. II. Fcssenden, who gives
ample promise of distinction In heavier roles.
This song to the south wind was among the
mSs ps%HsRg features q last nights
part OF Dalaud, the Norwegian captain, does
excellent work in the long duet with the
Dutchman commencing ''What2 Is 1t true
that my daughter is his?" which the sailors
conclude with full and breezy chorus to the
stceismans song.
The essential feature of the evening was the
mnidens chorus which opened the second act,
with scene laid in large room of Senta
home. Sentn, having listened to the musical
gossip OF her friends, ceases contemplating the
picture OF the Dutchman and, as If In trance,
trolls out a magnificent dream oil ocean life
depicting the wanderings of n spectral shin
and the gloomy isolation of the spectral chief
tain. This Is splendid burst of melody, and
| anCe In the character OF Marguerite.
Erik (Mr. G. BassetD the huntsman lover,
| now appears with "a heart, a hand from III 10
screen thee q hunters skill, frugal hut"
and continues to make love to sentn, with little
hoIe of q requitel. This is well done, though
Mr.. Bassett labors under burden of modesty,
not TO say iimidity,. which huntsman and a
solo, on presentation Of the Dutchmau, is a
great piece of composition, and finds a
truly sailor.like aud artistic exponent In
Mr.. Whitney, who adds q fine touch ot
the ludicrous in illustrating the Dutchmans s
moral qualities and worth by disclosing TO
Senta's indifference the box OF Jewels. The
| Dutchmans wooing is n noble and thoroughly
| Wagnerian performance. The literary merit
ofthis part of the libretto Is Of the highest Or
| der, and has the desired effect upon such a
sensitive nature as that of Senta, who rises 10
her most majestic strains in response to the
strangers tervor The opera concludes with
| choruses of both crews, ana O notable solo
| from Erik, :" Hast thou forgot that
day when thou didst call me-" Miss Mathilde
Phillips, as Mary, senta's nurse, performed
chorus. The electrical effects in the storm
| scene, produced by the electrician of the Ma
| tional Opera Company, are worthy of all praise,
and contributed TO the general excellence oil
a most delightful and noteworthy presentation
| ofWagner's opera.
This evening "Lohengrin," an opera in three
| acts, by Richard Wagner, will be presented
with the following cast Henry 1, King of Ger
many Myron W. Whitney; Lohengrin, Knight
of the Holy Grail, VIM. Candidus; Elsa of Bra
bant, Bertha Pierson; Frederick Telramuud, a
noble Of Brabant, VIM. Ludwig: the King:
Herald, Wm. Merton 0rtrud, wife of Telra-
mund. Cornelia Van Zanten. Chorus of Saxon
and Brabantlan mobiles, ladies. pages, &c. Di-
rector OF the stage, VIM. Hock. The scenery
by Homer Emens and VIM. Voeghtlin. Tho
armor and costumes prepared in the work
shops of the National (American) Opera Com
pany.
Arthur Rehan's Company, playing "Nancy &
Co" Is meeting fine success at the Nationa
Theater. The performance is one OF the mos
enjoyable we have had this winter. Tonight
Saturday matinee and evening ends this ex
cellent entertainment